My Genealogy Hound

F. M. HUTCHINSON (deceased) was born in Philadelphia June 19, 1827. His parents, Francis Martin and Mary (Neely) Hutchinson, were of Scotch and Scotch-Irish descent, Episcopalians and Presbyterians. The subject of this memoir was educated in Philadelphia. His first employment was as an assistant to Gen. Dan Tayler in the enlargement of the Morris canal; this position he left to take that of engineer, under Maj. Moor, on the N. Y. & E. R. R., on the completion of which he served a short time on the Central Railroad of New Jersey. In 1850, then in his twenty-third year, he became assistant engineer of the O. & P. R. R., under Solomon W. Robert, remaining with that company until 1857. At the instance of prominent democratic leaders he became assistant clerk of the state senate, a position he filled from 1858 to 1861, “winning golden opinions by his devotion to his arduous duties, and the ability and accuracy with which he performed them. He was always at his post, and no more competent officer ever filled it or enjoyed a larger share of confidence and popularity among the senators, without regard to parties.” In 1859 he was appointed engineer of the Lawrenceville Passenger railway. After completing that with speed and satisfaction he was appointed engineer for the Manchester Passenger railway, between Pittsburgh and Allegheny.

In 1862 he entered the service of the P., Ft. W. & C. Railroad company. In 1865 the board appointed him secretary and treasurer of the company; was also secretary and treasurer of the M. & C. R. R. from its organization until his death (thirteen years), and of the Lawrence R. R. Co. Each one sent a handsome memorial, stamped with the company’s seal, to his family as a testimony of their appreciation of his services. His health began to fail during the winter of 1882. The board of directors, at their annual meeting, voted him a leave of absence for three months, hoping that a trip to Europe would restore it. He left New York on the City of Rome, July 2, but finding the weather cold and damp, and that he was growing worse instead of better, returned, reaching New York August 18, and with his family around him, passed to the rest of Paradise on the morning of the 23d. The funeral services were held in the Church of the Beloved Disciple, Philadelphia, the impressive service of the church being read by his own rector, Dr. N. W. Camp, and Dr. Newlin, and he was laid to rest beside his parents, in Laurel Hill.

Mr. Hutchinson had many fine qualities of head and heart; was open, frank and generous. Although engrossed with the affairs of the railroad companies, he still found time to attend to his home duties; was a loving husband and father, a sympathetic and kind neighbor. A churchman from conviction, as well as inheritance, he ever considered it his privilege to contribute toward her support. He was senior warden of St. Stephen’s for some years before his death; politically he was a stanch democrat, taking an active part in the conventions. In 1873 he was a candidate for state treasurer, and though defeated by Robert W. Mackey (republican), the close vote showed his popularity.

Mr. Hutchinson was married at “Cassella” (near Sewickley), Feb. 8, 1866, to Sophia Lord, eldest child of Gen. George W. Cass, and four children blessed this union: Mary Louise, Francis Martin, George Cass and Ella Dawson. Mr. Hutchinson bought a comfortable home and settled in Sewickley the following June, where his widow and three remaining children continue to live.